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Jumpstart Foundry

We seek out, enable and empower the most promising innovations in health.

Nashville, TN, USA

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Description

Jumpstart Foundry (JSF) is a premier Nashville-based healthcare pre-seed venture capital firm. It is one of the most active healthcare investors in the United States, utilizing a specialized "Foundry" model to de-risk and scale early-stage health technology startups through a combination of capital and an intensive commercialization program. 
  • Pre-Seed: This is JSF’s exclusive entry point. They focus on very early-stage companies that have a product but are seeking their first institutional capital to achieve commercial scale.
  • The "Jumpstart" Round: They act as a specialized seed-level investor, preparing companies for larger institutional Series A rounds. 
  • Method: Founders apply through the Jumpstart Foundry application portal.
  • Selection Criteria: They seek "capital-efficient" healthcare solutions. They prioritize business models that improve patient outcomes or reduce administrative waste without requiring heavy FDA clinical trial cycles.
  • Materials: A pitch deck and a detailed "Impact and Innovation" summary are required. 

Eligibility

  • Sectors: Digital Health, Health IT, Medical Devices (Capital-efficient), and Healthcare Services.
  • Geography: Primarily United States-based companies.
  • Traction: Ideally, the startup has a functional prototype or MVP and is ready for initial pilot programs or early commercial sales. 

Process

JSF operates two cohorts per year (Spring and Fall): 
  1. Submission & Review: Thousands of applications are screened for innovation, team grit, and market size.
  2. Selection: Approximately 15–20 companies are selected per cohort.
  3. The Program: Funded companies enter a high-touch, virtual-first program focused on sales, marketing, and the "Healthcare Sales Cycle."
  4. Mentor Matchmaking: Founders are paired with a "Health Advisor" from their network of industry executives.
  5. Portfolio Support: Continued access to the JSF platform for follow-on fundraising and hiring. 

What an Applicant can Obtain

  1. Upfront Capital: A standardized initial investment to provide immediate runway.
  2. Strategic Network: Direct access to Nashville's "Healthcare Council" and executives from major health systems (e.g., HCA, Community Health Systems).
  3. The Playbook: A curated curriculum specifically for healthcare founders, covering HIPAA compliance, reimbursement, and provider sales.
  4. Perks: Over $500,000 in platform perks, including AWS credits and discounted legal/accounting services.